Variable line width writing pen



Jan. 3, 1956 S ANKUD VARIABLE LINE WIDTH WRITING PEN Filed April l2, 1954 JNVENTOR. frz/7x52" 27A/yg BY Wwf-Wwf l l x D Z fml Hlf/7 I @si f lr/rffffff H .I VIII, Y

l l, Il, I

United Star@ 251221191 VARIABLE LINE WIDTH WRITING PEN Stanley Anknd, Brooklyn, N. Y. Application April 12, 1954, Serial No. 422,500 2 Claims. (Cl. 1Z0- 51) This invention concerns an improved means for regulating the line width of writing pens.

The clarity and aesthetic quality of writing can be greatly enhanced by variations in the breadth of line resulting from the use of writing pens. For example, if one wishes to emphasize particular portions of a letter, note, etc., a noticeable increase in line thickness would achieve such an effect. Artistic designs could also be injected into letter writing by line width variations, according to the creative impulse of the writer.

Obviously, a writing pen capable of producing line width variations must be designed so that the variations could be produced easily, rapidly, and subject to accurate regulation. Moreover, pen should consist of a minimum of parts, thereby reducing the costs of fabrication and maintenance. Although the broad concept of line width variation is known in the art, the existing devices are rather complicated and hence not practicable, as evidenced by the absence of such devices on the market.

Consequently, the primary inventive object is to provide a writing pen incorporating a means for regulating the width of line according to the whims of the operator, the mechanical features of the pen being compactly designed and related to reduce operating eifort and fabrication costs to a minimum.

More specifically, the inventive object is a writing pen having an operating sleeve which when revolved will actuatc a leverage system to cause the application of pressure upon the pen nibs, thereby expanding the nibs.

Another inventive object is a writing pen having a rotatable sleeve with internal cam surfaces whose movement actuates a leverage system whose normal position is such that no pressure is exerted upon the nibs but actuation of the leverage system results in pressure upon the nibs whereby the nibs can be expanded from the normal position to a predetermined maximum expanded position at any desired rate.

Further objects and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a writing pen (fountain type) incorporating the line variation device.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along the plane 2 2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a transverse section taken along plane 3 3 of Figure 2.

Figures 4 and 5 are sketches illustrating the line width variation achieved by the instant device.

In Figure 2 of the drawings the sleeve 10 is swiveled to the hollow cylindrical body of the fountain pen 11 between the annular `shoulders 12 and 13. The cam body 14 which is integrally attached to the sleeve 10 comprises a circular shell having an elliptical inner surface 15 (as better seen in Figure 3) at the lowermost portion 16. Thus the thickness of the cam body within portion 16 varies from the thickness at portion 17 to zero thickness 90 distant, as seen in Figure 3. The cam body 14 encircles the body l1 of the pen between the shoulders 12 2,729,197v 'Patented Jan. 3,

.Ice

2 `and-Z13. "Adjacent -t'he'portion 16, the bo'dy ofthe pen 11 ==-is"recess`edat`18. The transverse recess 18 intersects a rigitudinallrrecess 19 which extends to the lower end 20 f-tliebdy :11. The'shoulder 13 is connected iintegrally @im a` rdov'mwardly extending sleeve 21 about which is fpre's'sfitted the outer shell 22 forming the lower pen structure. By tapering the outer shell 22 from the diameter required to compress the sleeve 21, a snug tit is had about the lower portion of the body which is cylindrical. Fitted within recess 19 is the lever 23 comprising the transverse shoulder 24, the fulcrum 25 (which is pivoted to the sleeve 21) and the trigger 26. Formed on the inner surface of lever 23 is the knob 27 which presses against the sleeve 11 at 28. A second lever 29 is provided beneath the rst lever 23 and comprises the tip portion 30, the fulcrum 31 and the spreader 32, a wedge shaped projection 32a is formed on the inner surface of the inclined portion 32b of the spreader 32 and is axially aligned with the centerline of the nibs 34. A resilient member 33 is pressed about lever 29 within the recess 19, causing the levers 23 and 29 to assume the normal position in which the nibs 34 are unexpanded. Formed at the upper end of body 11 is the annular shell 35 to which may be secured the ink bladder (not shown). The nibs 34 are secured to the lower end 36 of the body 11. Ink from the bladder ows to the nibs through the circular channel 37 formed axially through the body 11. Shell 38 forms a supporting structure for a removable cap 39 which encloses the ink bladder (not shown).

In operation, starting from the normally unexpanded position of the nibs as shown in Figures 2 and 4, it is seen that due to the biasing means 33 and 25, levers 29 and 23, kept in longitudinal alignment, cause the shoulder 24 to protrude through the recess 18 into the space provided by thinnest portion of the cam body 14. Rotation of the sleeve 10 causes the thicker portion of the cam body to press the shoulder 24 inwardly whereby lever 23 pivoting about the fulcrum 25 presses the tip 30 of lever 29 outwardly. Thus lever 29 rotates about fulcrum 31, causing the spreader 32 to press the projection 32a against the nibs 34, whereby the nibs are expanded causing the effect seen in Figure 5. The projection 32a also directs ink to the centerline'of the nib structure. Figure 3 depicts the fully expanded position in which shoulder 24 has been pressed inwardly by the thickest portion of the cam shell. Further rotation of the sleeve 10 towards the normal position permits the resilient mass 33 to force the shoulder 24 towards the normal position.

Thus it is seen that by a simple twist of a sleeve on a writing pen, any desired writing thickness can be had. The simplicity of the design results in relatively small fabrication and maintenance costs. There are no threads to wear out, and shape of the pen has suffered no ugly distortion. The parts can be made from any of the conventional materials such as glass, plastic, metal, etc.

The numerous modifications resulting from changes in size, shape and material are all obviously within the inventive scope.

Having thus described the inventive details, the following is claimed:

l. A writing pen comprising expandable writing nibs secured to a cylindrical holder therefor, in combination with a sleeve rotatably mounted concentrically on the holder and including surfaces of variable distance from the holder axis in further combination with a lever linkage movable to positions bearing against the nibs with a variable pressure, said lever linkage having one end positioned for contact with the said surfaces and an opposite end in contact with the nibs, said opposite end including means for variably expanding the said nibs when the lever linkage is moved to the said positions, whereby rotary motion of the sleeve actuates the said one end, causing the linkage to progressively expand the nibs.

2. A writing pen as in claim 1, wherein the holder is hollow including several longitudinal compartments, said linkage including a fulcrum between the two ends mounted in one of the compartments, said holder including an external circumferential groove intersecting one of the compartments adjacent the said one end, said sleeve being mounted in said groove with the surfaces facing the said one end of the lever, said compartments including means for biasing the lever linkage to a position corresponding to the normally unexpanded nib condition.

References Cited in the ile of this patent FOREIGN PATENTS 

